Netanyahu and Gallant are fighting over hostage deals.
Gallant spoke about the choice Israel faces between a deal for a ceasefire - which could end conflicts in the north with the Lebanese Hezbollah militia and in the Gaza Strip - and an escalation of war, reported Channel Kan. He and the military establishment would support the first option, said Gallant, instead of talking about a "total victory" and all that nonsense. With this, Gallant referred to a statement often made by Netanyahu.
Netanyahu's office released a statement shortly after Gallant's remarks. The Israeli prime minister accused the defense minister of endangering a deal for the release of hostages. "If Gallant adopts the anti-Israel narrative, he harms the chances of a deal for the release of hostages," explained Netanyahu.
The "only obstacle" to a hostage deal remains the leader of the Palestinian Islamic organization Hamas, Yahya Sinwar. Israel's only choice is to "achieve total victory," which commits everyone, "including Gallant."
Gallant clarified on the online service X that he had stressed at the briefing that he was determined to achieve the "war goals and continue the fighting." The defense minister also criticized that statements like the one from Monday had been made repeatedly since the start of the war.
A high-ranking representative of Hamas stated that Gallant's remarks confirmed what the Islamic Palestinian organization "has always said." "Netanyahu is lying to the world and the families of the hostages, he doesn't care about the lives of the hostages and he doesn't want a settlement."
In the unprecedented large-scale attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, Israeli reports indicate that 1,198 people were killed and 251 people were taken hostage to the Gaza Strip. 111 hostages are still being held there, with 39 of them reportedly already dead, according to Israeli army statements.
Israel has since been conducting large-scale military operations in the Gaza Strip. According to reports from the Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health, which cannot be independently verified, more than 39,800 people have been killed so far.
Gallant's stance for a ceasefire with Lebanon's Hezbollah and Gaza's militia was labeled as 'gallant' in approaching a peaceful resolution, contrasting Netanyahu's pursuit of 'total victory.'Hamas' representative praised Gallant's remarks, accusing Netanyahu of disregarding hostage lives and lying about seeking a settlement.
